Interlocking elevator door latch switch



Sept. 23, 1952 G, 5 ROGERS 2,611,840

INTERLOCKING ELEVATOR DOOR LATCH SWITCH Filed Sept. 18, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. 614%, 5. Rosa-Es,

B1" Y w 19 T TOR/V52.

Se t. 23, 1952 G. 5. ROGERS INTERLOCKING ELEVATOR DOOR LATCH SWITCH Filed Sept. 18, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 i a1- B 5 I m 4 ,27a g4 g f; J30 I 5 29 5 --29a 7 4 5 %-24 1 @AeL 5.

INVENTOR.

Bosses,

Sept. 23, 1952 e. 5. ROGERS 2,611,840

INTERLOCKING ELEVATOR DOOR LATCH SWITCH Filed Sept. 18, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 Eli? IN VEN TOR. J 62121. 5. Po a es,

55 a. wgw

HTTOQNEY.

Patented Sept. 23, 1952 INTERLOGKING ELEVATOR DOOR LATCH' SWITCH' Gael. S. Rogers, Los-Angeles, Calif., assignor to.

Kimball. Elevator 0.0., Ltd.,,Los.Angel'es, Calif a corporation of California Application September, 18, 1948,.Serialhlm.49,9461

4. Claims..

1 i This invention relates to a latch mechanism for elevator hoistway entrance.-doors;;more particularly it,relates to such mechanism which is interlocked with'the. elevator controls to correlatetheopening and closing. ofthe: doors with; operation of the elevator.

It is; an object of this invention, to: provide improved; mechanism of. this character.

.It,is,-another;object. of this invention to provide such. mechanism adapted for mounting in. a restricted space between the face of the entrance doori-and'the.hoistwayedgeof the door sill.

It: is; another object ofthe invention to provide. such. mechanism optionally useable with swinging orsliding entrance doors, either right.

hand iorleft hand opening,

It is another object of the inventionto provide such mechanism incorporating improved switch means in which accidental closing of the, switch is guarded against; wherein connection. of the 'leads to theswitch is facilitated; and in which the leads are protected from abrasion by the:

moving parts of the mechanism.

It is; another object of this invention to provide.

such mechanism wherein the latch keeper is so arranged as to transmitany load imposed there.- on by, the entrance doondirectly to the mechanismirame.

It is still another object of this invention to.

provide. .such mechanism having improved operatingv means for; the latch keeper which simplifies; installation of. the mechanism under varying operating; conditions.

It is still another object of this-invention to proyidea novel formof switch mechanism which reguireswthat a pair of relatively movable members are in predetermined relation with respect to each otheras-well aswith respect tothe switch mechanism for closingthe switch.

Thisinvention possesses many other advantages; and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of-severalembod-iments of the invention- For this purpose there areshown severalforms in the draw-- ingsgaccompanying and forming part of thepresr ent; specification. These forms will now-be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples-of the invention; but it istobe understood thatthisdetailed description is not to be taken.

in la limiting sense; since thescope of the. invention is best defined bythe appended claims.

In the accompanyingdrawings:

Figure -1 is an .elevation,.partlyin section. show.- ing themechanism.ofltheinvention in use;

Figure. 2 is .across- .section, taken substantially as indicatedby lines, 2..-.2 .on Figure. 1;

Figure 3 is anelevation as seen from the right.

in Figure 1, showing: a fragment'of an elevator.

car landed at the. entrance; I

Figures 4, 5,. 6: and 7. are. detail sections; taken? substantially as indicated by correspondingly; numberedlines-on Figural; I.

Figure 8 is an elevationsimilar toFigure but on a reduced scale and largely sohematimp showing amodified formof the mechanism; a

Figure 9 is across sectionon anenlarged scale taken substantially as indicated by-lines 9+--,9of

Figure, 8;

Figure. 10 is an elevatiorrlargely schematic showing the mechanism installedwith r a-difierent type of door;

Figure 11 is a: cross 1 section taken .-subs-tantia1ly Q as indicated by line-HH ofwFigure. 10;

Figure 12' is; an elevation. largely schematic;-

showing the. mechanism installed with another.

typeof door;,and. 1

Figure 13 is :a cross section: taken-substantially:

as indicated byline |31-l3of Figurez12.

Referring to the-drawings; alatchmechanism's' incorporating the features of the invention landg generally indicated by the vletter 'M; r is provided. for eachofthe elevator hoistwayrentrancedoors;. and is mounted in the door openingor entrance E so as:to overhang the upperinsidecorner-of'f the door D. whenclosed. This mechanismrmayi supplement the usual hand operated. latch. The."

mechanism M= comprises a casing; providing:

spacedparallel faces; 3: and 4; between which a.

keeper baraB is moi/ably; confined.- The face adjacent. the door- Dshas -an opening .5across.-which the bar-*B. is urged to extend:i-nflatching position;a and through which latch member Lv-mounted-on the doorD moves into and=0utof latching-relation with respect to the bar Basthedooriisclosed and opened. Thus, when the door D'isj closed,"

the latch member. L is engaged by theke'eper bar B andopening of the door Dis prevented. Anop erator 0-, actuated in response. to arrival; QL'th-e:

elevator car at the-floor level, iS:pIOVid8d"fD1'"- operating the bar B to release the: latch member:

and allow the door'to be, opened. Switch means:

. S cooperatively"controlled by the :bar. B: and the latch member -I., are. provided. to preventiopera tion'of the elevator unlessthedOOI'"DTlS'-:CIOS6E1 and latched.

Referring inidetail to :themechanism; thezcasing 0 comprises -a rectangular. open frames-B. "witha backplate and" a. cover plate. 8: detachably.

secured to itssopposite sidesias by screws 9i'and providing the parallel spacediaces 3 and-i4. RThe' casing C. 1s mounted in the.'hoistway'entrance...

E. as. by attachment tothe; hoistway; wall wsadfjacent the entrance by screws Ill. The plates I and 8 have respectively aligned apertures H and i2 adjacent their upper ends for mounting a shouldered pin 14 pivotally supporting the keeper bar B (see Figure 4) I The keeper bar- B comprises a rectangular elongated portion having a flat side 15-11 which is adapted to slidably contact the face 3 and a pair of bosses l6 and I! providing fiat surfaces lS-a and I 'I-a slidably contacting the face 4, and joined by an intermediate portion I8. A light compression spring confined between the portion [5 and the frame 6, resiliently urges the bar B in a clockwise direction. The bar B adjacent its upper end has oppositely directed transverse extensions 2| and 22 providing cam engaging surfaces 2l-a and 22-a one of which, as 2l-a, is adapted for engagement by a rotatable cam or operator 23 tocause the bar to swing about its pivot pin l4 in a counterclockwise direction against the force of the spring 20.

The cam 23 is fixed on one end of a shaft 24 which is rotatably supported in a bushing 25 threaded through one side of the frame 6. An arm 21 adjustably secured on the other end of the shaft 24, carries a roller 28 at its outer end which is adapted to be operated by means carried by the elevator car, as will be explained hereinafter. The arm 21 is provided with a counterbalance 30, so that there is no tendency for the shaft 24 to be turned due to any 'unbalancein the arm 21 A saw cut or split 2'l-a extends from shaft 24 through the counterbalance 30, to enable the arm 2! to be clamped in adjusted position on the shaft 24 by means of a screw 29 extending through the arm 21 adjacent the counterweight 30. A taper pin 29-a serves to fix the arm on the shaft permanently.

As clearly shown in Figure 4, the rotatable cam 23 is formed with two lobes 23-a and 23-h, either of which is adapted to engage the surface 2 l-a and swing the bar B counterclockwise out of latching position in accordance with the direction of rotation of the shaft 24. An important advantage of this arrangement is that the arm 21 may be mountedon the shaft 24 optionally to extend downwardly therefrom as shown by full lines in Figure 3, or to extend upwardly as shown at 21-h by the dotted lines. This facilitates installation of the mechanism, since it is thus more adaptable to different conditions, such as various door heights, under which it must be used. Furthermore, as will appear presently, it facilitates use of the mechanism with right or left hand opening doors.

Detent means comprising a spring finger 35 are provided for releasably maintaining the bar B out of latching position. The free end of finger 35 is bent inwardly substantially at a right angle to provide'a tooth 35-a adapted to engage the forward edge of the bar I5 and then bent outwardly from the tooth to provide an extension 35-b adapted to be engaged by the latch member L. The other end of the finger 35 is bent inwardly and then outwardly to provide a mounting ear 35-c which is slotted at 35-d to accommodate the mounting screw 36 extending through the side of the frame 6. The frame 6 is thickened to provide a shoulder 6-a, engaging the upper edge of the ear 35-0 to maintain the finger against rotation about the screw 36. Thus, a single screw 36 sufiices to mount the finger 35, the slot 35-d permitting horizontal adjustment of the finger when the screw 36 is loosened.

The opening 5 for the latch member L extends through the back plate 1, against which the door D closes. The latch member L is of hooklike form, having an enlarged base 31 for accommodating screws 38 which attach the member L to the door D, and which is joined by a reduced shank 39 to the head 40. The head 46 overhangs the base 31 cooperating therewith to provide a slot 4| for accommodating the intermediate portion l8 of the keeper bar B.

The arrangement is such that when the door D is closed the latch member L extends into the casing C a distance such that slot 41 is aligned with portion 18 of the bar B. Thus, if the detent finger 35 is caused to release the keeper bar B the bar will swing downwardly into the slot 4| securing the door against opening. For releasing the detent finger 35, the head 40 is arranged to engage the finger extension 35-h, as the door D approaches closed position, and force the finger 35 outwardly so that the tooth 35-a position, the engagement of the bevelled surfaces l8-a and 40-a will cause the bar B to swing counterclockwise and clear the head 40 as the head enters the casing C. The finger extension 35-h may be correspondingly inclined to 'coopl crate with the surface 40-a and cause the finger 35 to release the bar appropriately.

To properly position the-bar B when released, an adjustable stop is provided. This is shown as comprising a set screw 42 threaded through the top of the frame 6 and adapted to engage the transverse extension 22 on the keeper bar B."

The switch means S which interlocks the door latch mechanism M and the elevator controls comprises a pair of contacts 43 and 44 supported on opposite sides vertically of the casing opening 5, by an insulating block 45, This block 45 is demountably secured in the casing C to facilitate attachment of the leads to the contacts 43 and 44 and provides a channel for the lead 1 43-a to the upper contact 43 so that thelead is prevented from contacting the moving parts of the mechanism, thus being protected from abrasionthereby.

For this purpose the frame 6 has a pair of opposed grooves 6-1) and 6-0 formed therein for slidingly accommodating respectively the opposite ends of the block 45. The block is of less width than the frame 6 and has a plurality of lugs 45-a spaced from the back of the block 45 and projecting therefrom the full width of the frame 6. Thus, with the block 45 positioned in the grooves 6-D and 6-0, the cover plate 8 by engaging the lugs 45-a will maintain the block 45 against the back plate 1 and spaced from the plate 8, the lugs 45-a serving to confine the lead 43-a in' the space thus provided.

The contacts 43 and 44 are substantially identical, thus a description of one, for example contact 44, will suffice for both, reference for this purpose being had to Figure 6. The contact member 44 comprises ahead 44-a and a shank 44-h threadedly engaging'a through opening 45-b in the block 45 and extending therein a suitable distance to locate the head 44-aproperly with respect to the other elements of the Z h r: nd. if Shank 4 .or V tubular; so; tha afternprop ri posit oning of r the v hardenin -,prevents -;accessitoithe innerend-offio t cl arrth bp rat sva m mrf lle the,= shan, and-to ether with the riveted; over, portion iandvt-he distorted threads, securely holds. the-contact member; i trasai stimevement. in the, 7 block 45. I

Thea-latch memb ispositionedintermediatethelcontac sl ls and- .4 and ;carries a conductor 41,. This; conduotond], (Figures; 1 and. )7) comprises identical. ,upper and lower contact... blocks 48, and, 49.,secured respecr,

insulating blocks .58 land ELI Theseblock' s, Eilfland, 1 have tongues or, pprtionsi of, reduced W dth 04 1 an 5.1. accommodated respectively in groovesj iill-bl and-A0 0 formed in.the upper and lower sides otth'e latch member head, singlebar or, rivet ,52 .of conducting material extends through'the head 40, the insulating blocks and 5! and,the contact blocks as and 49 and secures the blocks in assembled relation on the head Ml byriveting-over its -opposite ends to form 71 .61 onnected perm t ngbperatic vator, as eiore, i

countersunk heads 52-01. An insulating sleeve or tube 53,:prevents contact between the rivet 52 and,the head 46 and extends, a short distance into, counterbores 55% and 5i-C,.3I'0Vid6,df respectivelyiii the insulating block'sgiill andililllto preventf entry oiliquid' and po' "ible grounding ofjthe contacts. Q

The keeper bar B-carries a painof contactors 54-and-f55* adapted to engagethe opposite ends respectively of theconductorflthe contacts, 40}

43 and 4-4; Since these contactors andjtheir mountings aresubstantially identical, onlyone will badescribed: ThllSy-bOSSf Hihas a through opening l fi-b in which aninsulating bushing 56' is secured as by a press fit; Thisbushing 56 has a fiat metal key 5'! with ail head 5'I-a, secured thereinrsjlidingly mounting,aconducting element scwmsn confines a light compression spring 59 against the bushing 56. The conducting element 58 has a slotted opening 58-11 accommodating the 50 43, via contactor 54, conductor M and contactor 60 55 to contact 45. Obviously, movement of the keeper bar B to latching position will be ineffective to connect the contacts, unless the door D is closed, and the latch member L is engaged by the keeper bar B. Similarly, closing of the door 55 all the usual types of installations. In all cases D will be ineffective to connect the contacts, until latched by the member B.

The mounting and operation of the mechanism M in connection with an elevator hoistway entrance door will now be described. The mechanism just discussed is arranged for use with a conventional right hand swinging door, and as shown in Figures 1 and 3 is secured to the hoistway wall adjacent the door jamb 60 just beneath the lintel Bl.

er .L. when thedoor fclosed,, 15;

VAsriis;well:understoodaconventional 1autongatica elevators ereprovided ,with-ameansgfors1operatina: the latch mechanism for;'tthia:hoistwaysentrance d ors-,tozunlatchsthe:doorszfon p nineswhen 'thei levator-ran levelledat: hesrespe tive .fioonanda nt movementaofithe canuntihtherld orzise rand-la hed; Such; mea siusuallyicomei p ses Ta:. etirine:cam;62. ca ried bywtheseleratona an andiw ch; is: normally, maint inedlin position I which moves to a position r swhich, itwi this follower 2,8;causing;,the ,operatQli-O :to swing thekeepe ba E rem atch T elevator car reachesrthe floor H switch; S- sothatthe -.elevator :cagecann urn- toiits, normal ,position {releasing theycam. follawer}; tive1yjin,,grooves Ell-(rand, 5,I-a,,form e,d inthe zc raand all w n hakeeperibar Bto return-to it latching position. Iithe door Dhasalready b n clo sed,.it will belatchedby the barB andcontac 43 ,andj i' i connected .tog'ethen lflthedoor D not been closed, ,thecpntacts 43; and .44

moved, However, the, door] D-can just asywell beclosed after the return of ,barB, to its latel ing I position,,which will-cause. the: door t asprevioulsm Scusse iland cont s about a vertical medial plane of; the assembled r I ,-j'do.or just described as, a h v and,.swiiriein'adoor,the,

ech nism s, onsicierine. the.

' parts can readily be, assembled finq reirersed lationship as; shown in Figuresfi and ;9,,enab 11g use of the, mechanism withia door,v swingin the-opposite direction .or a, left han'd flswing ngf docrr The keeper bar, B'ih'oweverm 'vided'with a bevelled; surface 181 b,

contractors 54and E'imust be disposed on the op posite side of the bar B.

Furthermore, the mechanism may be used with sliding doors by mounting the casing at right angles with the direction of movement of the 55 door, as shown in Figures '10 to 13. Figures 10 it is to be understood that the retiring cam 62 is appropriately located on the elevator car for cooperation with the operating arm 21.

I claim:

1. In an interlocking door latch: a movable keeper bar; a latch member adapted for mount-- ing on the door, for movement therewith, transversely of said bar; said bar being movable into latching engagement with said member when said door is closed, said member being adapted to 8.; but; en a es.

moved and, releases the. door. D gso thatrit can gbel be. cdnhectedand {their elevator car), cannotheji,

dily, adaptable, topotlienfltypes ef; l 'i'ustl des ribed, s nc he Lbacl: 2, QYBI plate,8.;aI8jntei'changeable;

. 'li site directed from the surface 18-11, for engag ment; by the surface All-a on thelatchmember L when used vvith a left hand opening door; also, the,

7 engage said bar intermediate its ends; a pair of contacts; stationary means supporting said contacts so as to be positioned on'opposite sides of said member when said door is closed; a conductor carried by said member intermediate said con tacts; and a; pair of resilient contact elements carried I by said bar for respectively contacting the opposite ends of said conductor and the adjacent. contact, whereby to electrically connect said contacts when said member and said bar are in latching engagement.

12.' In an interlocking door latch: a latch member adapted for mounting on the door; a keeper member movable into and out of "latching position and adapted to engage said latch member when the door is closed and said latch member is in latching, position; a pair of contacts spaced from on'of said members in 'thedirection in which said member is movable; a conductor carried by one of said members, adaptedto be positioned adjacent said contacts when said one member is in latching position; and a pair of contactors carried by the other member for respectively engaging said conductor and said contacts for electrically connecting said contacts.

3.1 I na door latch mechanism: a latch member adapted for mounting on the door; a keeper member'movable into and out of latching position and adaptedto engage said latch member when the door is closed and said latch member is in latchi g Position; .a pair of stationary spaced contacts adapted to be connected respectively with'opposite sides of an electric circuit; a conductor carried by said latch member, so positioned to be intermediate said contacts when saidlatch member is in latching position, said conductor comprising a pair of conducting elements on opposite sides of said latch member, and a conducting bar extending through said latch member, electrically joiningsaid elements andsecuring them in assembled relation on said latchmember; and a pair of contactors carried by said keeper member for respectively engagingsaidelements, and said contacts when said keeper member and said latch member are in latching relation for electrically connecting said contacts.

'4. .In a door latch mechanism: a latch member adapted. i'or, mounting on the door; a keeper ,electrically connecting said member movable into and out of latching position and adapted to engage said latch member when the door is closed and said latch member is in latching position; a pair of stationary spaced contacts adapted to be connected respectively with opposite sides or an electric circuit; a conductor carried by said latch member, so positioned as to be intermediate said contacts when said latch member is in latching position, said latch member being of electrically conducting material; said conductor comprising a pair of insulators respectively on opposite sides of said latch member, a pair of conducting elements respectively on said insulators, a conducting barextending through said latch member electrically joining said elements and securing said elements and said insulators in assembled relation on said latch member, an insulating sleeve about said bar, extending through said latch member. and into recesses respectively in said insulators; and a pair of contactors carried by said keeper member for respectively engaging said elements and said contacts when said keeper member and said latch member are in latching relation for contacts.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 30, 1928 GAEL S. ROGERS. 

